This is exactly the question I'm asking myself, both as a regular user
and as an employee of a company who could use their services for clients.

Before I continue, let me get this straight: I do like Google's
services, especially as a developer. The IO 2013 conference demonstrated again that
Google is way ahead of any other company in terms of web
services. Especially as a map geek, you just have to admire what Google has
cooking up in the last years. The
new Google Map experience is impressive. Overall, they are leading in
terms of design and usability of webmaps.

From a user's perspective

But as a regular user, it sometimes feels wrong to launch Google Mail
or locate my home on Google Maps. It's an old question, but is still
valid: I'm not paying for anything - so why do I get almost everything
for free? Google is a company with shareholders who want to see their
return of investment.

Ok, everybody knows: Google is foremost an ad company. But I very rarely (if at all) click on any ads. So why does Google want me as a user?

Look at other "digital companies": I happily use Evernote, for which I
pay $5 per month, no ads involved. It's a freemium model and I know
that I pay for others who are not premium. Apple's business model is selling
outstanding hardware with a huge profit margin. You can say, I'm old-school, but with these I understand my role as a customer.

From a company's perspective

And Google's role in my professional life? As a company, we use (for example)
Esri for most of our geo-related things and we pay for their online
services (plus we may host everything by ourselves, if we want to - but
that's another story). There are other examples like FME and even open-source based
software usually has a business model of some sort.

But I'm hesitant to use Google for our client's project (which we have done on occasions).
Sure, Google does have enterprise offerings. But are they
really as interested in my business as the other companies above?
For example, if I have a question on using their products, I
have to start of with anonymous web forms or support forums and maybe
never get an answer (happened to me regarding business inquiries).

Revenue Transparency and Real People

So, Gina's intended question to Larry Page could be re-formulated:

"How do you earn money with me using your apps and services?"

My trust would raise with transparency. Not
data transparency, but revenue transparency: Tell me how
I add to Google's shareholder value. Google doesn't have to disclose
any business secrets, just a simple explanation on how they make money
from me without violating our privacy agreement (My guess is that I
should give them more of my personal data, if I refuse to click on
ads. That would be okay, as long as I can control the usage of my
data).

As an employee of a company, I would like to see Google listening to
my needs and actively helping me to realize projects. No support with
Python scripts, but with real and dedicated people who care about my
projects.